Population ecology of Tupinambis merianae (Squamata, Teiidae): home-range, activity and space use

Abstract

The activity and space parameters (home range and use of space) for a population of Tupinambis merianae was recorded through 640 h of observation during nine months, and by monitoring 56 marked individuals. There was a significant difference in activity in the periods stipulated in this study throughout the months. Active lizards were not registered before 7:30 a.m., nor after 6:00 p.m. The greatest level of activity by the individuals occurred during November and December. Fluctuations in the population size and in the activity of the different age classes were recorded throughout the studied months. We recorded the minimum home-range of three males and two females, which varied from 0.05 to 26.44 ha. We also observed agonistic interactions. The utilization area of the animals did not vary during the studied months, but it was possible to observe gregarious behavior in spatial use. The highest daily activity occurred at the hours of higher temperatures. The positive correlation between seasonal activity and the maximum temperature (air and substrate) showed a unimodal distribution and was identical to the records from a tropical area (southeastern Brazil). It is possible that temperature is not the only environmental variable/factor that influences the seasonal activity cycle of the species. Although teiids are not considered territorial, some of our results could suggest territoriality in the studied population.

Beyond body size: muscle biochemistry and body shape explain ontogenetic variation of anti-predatory behaviour in the lizard Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae)

“…S1) and the cast of predators attacking juveniles and adults may be also variable (A.A., unpublished observations). The cryptic coloration of young tegus, together with the observation that they are rarely observed moving around in their natural habitats (A.A., unpublished observations), corroborates the hypothesis of ontogenetic differences in the preferred strategy of tegus for avoiding predation: juveniles rely on camouflage and avoid direct interactions with predators, remaining restricted to small territories until reaching a body size that allows effective biting and expansion of home ranges (Winck et al, 2011;A.A., unpublished observations).…”

“…Adults of Salvator merianae, in contrast, exhibit more equilibrated LDH:CS ratios in their hindlimb muscles, a balance that may grant suitable use of aerobic pathways during locomotion. Adult tegus are active foragers that course long distances in their natural habitats (Winck et al, 2011), and they depend on enlarged home ranges for feeding and maintaining large body sizes (Winck et al, 2011 and references therein). An equilibrium between aerobic and anaerobic pathways may not only sustain efficient locomotion of adults through their territories, but likely contributes for buffering muscle pH and enhancing lactate metabolism for glycogen re-synthesis after intense locomotion (Curtin et al, 1997;Gleeson, 1996;Passarella et al, 2008).…”

Calangos e lagartixas: concepções sobre lagartos entre estudantes do Ensino Médio em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil

“…Nesta sentença, a espécie popularmente conhecida como "Tejo" (provavelmente, Tupinambis merianae, Duméril & Bibron, 1839) é referida como de hábitos noturnos. Entretanto, isto não condiz com a bibliografia científica, uma vez que esta espécie é diurna, realizando suas atividades durante as horas mais quentes do dia (VAN SLUYS; ROCHA, 1999;VITT, 1995;WINCK;BLANCO;CECHIN, 2011 de voluntariamente desprender a cauda do corpo, é um reconhecido mecanismo de defesa contra predadores, utilizado por várias espécies de lagartos (SILVA; ARAÚJO, 2008). Esta estratégia de defesa apresenta custos associados, como a diminuição da taxa de crescimento durante a regeneração da cauda, redução do investimento reprodutivo e perda de reservas energéticas e de status social (ROCHA, 1994).…”

Baseline values of immunologic parameters in the lizard <i>Salvator merianae</i> (<i>Teiidae</i>, Squamata)

“…In Argentina, the most abundant and widely distributed species is the "iguana overa (Spanish) or tegu lizard (English)" (Salvator merianae) (Ávila-Pires, 1995;Harvey et al, 2012). This lizard is a diet generalist that feeds on a wide range of animals and fruits (de Castro and Galetti, 2004) and whose daily and seasonal activity cycles are strongly related to temperature (Winck et al, 2011). From April-June (colder months), their metabolism decreases until environmental temperature increases.…”